There's been an Innovative Marine 50-gallon lagoon tank sitting empty in my living room for over 2 years.
It didn't get filled the first year because I had 7 eye surgeries over 11 months.
It didn't get filled the second year because, after all those surgeries..... I still lost my vision. (year-long pity party anyone?)
Instead of filling that tank, I wasted a year feeling sorry for myself. I'd been fighting vision loss for over a decade, but my vision was now worse than ever (nothing but shapes and light in my right eye and barely 20/300 in my left eye. I was also left with blind spots, called scotomas, in my remaining vision. These are a completely new menace. -- Insert sad violin music here--)
Fun Fact About Blind People: Most of us aren't sitting around in complete darkness. The overwhelming majority of blind people have some remaining vision.
Was it even possible to get back into reefing now that I was well past legally blind? It seemed so unfair. Reefing has always been a part of my life. I grew up in Monterey Bay and spent my childhood exploring tidepools. My elementary school visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium before it was open to the public. I've had a glass box of water in my life for over 40 years (I know my handle is Blind Girl Reefing, but it sounds better than Old Geezer Lady Reefing).
Time to do something crazy.
I'm not only going to fill that IM 50 lagoon with fish and coral; I've also ordered a 170-gallon tank (should arrive mid-May).
I'm building a saltwater mixing station and sump in my basement and setting up quarantine tanks. When I say "build," I mean build. Part of what I love most about this hobby is the amateur carpentry, problem solving, inventing, pseudo-engineering, and troubleshooting.
My 5-year-old grandson is my partner in crime. He's in charge of photography, assisting with the build, and keeping me out of trouble.
This may be a complete and total disaster. Hubby worries that I'll saw off a limb. (one very minor incident with a brad nailer was blown waaaaay out of proportion).
Kudos to Innovative Marine! This tank was under 4 feet of water during Hurricane Helene. I spent nearly a week cleaning and bleaching it. I think it has turned out remarkably well.
We finished the hardscape and sand. I'm starting with dry rock as live rock would be out of budget. The light is Nicrew. Once we are up and running, I'll be sure to share my thoughts on it.
Under-tank plumbing is complete.
Time to work on the basement sump and finish the saltwater mixing station.
It didn't get filled the first year because I had 7 eye surgeries over 11 months.
It didn't get filled the second year because, after all those surgeries..... I still lost my vision. (year-long pity party anyone?)
Instead of filling that tank, I wasted a year feeling sorry for myself. I'd been fighting vision loss for over a decade, but my vision was now worse than ever (nothing but shapes and light in my right eye and barely 20/300 in my left eye. I was also left with blind spots, called scotomas, in my remaining vision. These are a completely new menace. -- Insert sad violin music here--)
Fun Fact About Blind People: Most of us aren't sitting around in complete darkness. The overwhelming majority of blind people have some remaining vision.
Was it even possible to get back into reefing now that I was well past legally blind? It seemed so unfair. Reefing has always been a part of my life. I grew up in Monterey Bay and spent my childhood exploring tidepools. My elementary school visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium before it was open to the public. I've had a glass box of water in my life for over 40 years (I know my handle is Blind Girl Reefing, but it sounds better than Old Geezer Lady Reefing).
Time to do something crazy.
I'm not only going to fill that IM 50 lagoon with fish and coral; I've also ordered a 170-gallon tank (should arrive mid-May).
I'm building a saltwater mixing station and sump in my basement and setting up quarantine tanks. When I say "build," I mean build. Part of what I love most about this hobby is the amateur carpentry, problem solving, inventing, pseudo-engineering, and troubleshooting.
My 5-year-old grandson is my partner in crime. He's in charge of photography, assisting with the build, and keeping me out of trouble.
This may be a complete and total disaster. Hubby worries that I'll saw off a limb. (one very minor incident with a brad nailer was blown waaaaay out of proportion).
Kudos to Innovative Marine! This tank was under 4 feet of water during Hurricane Helene. I spent nearly a week cleaning and bleaching it. I think it has turned out remarkably well.
We finished the hardscape and sand. I'm starting with dry rock as live rock would be out of budget. The light is Nicrew. Once we are up and running, I'll be sure to share my thoughts on it.
Under-tank plumbing is complete.
Time to work on the basement sump and finish the saltwater mixing station.
